On Friday September 29th, Bowman Bradley, North East Chair of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, will present, on behalf of the Institution, an Engineering Heritage Award to Killhope Lead Mining Museum. The award recognises the achievement of Killhope Mining Museum in preserving and restoring its artefacts and also for its valuable contribution to local education.

Members and guests are invited to share the presentation, which will take place at 11:00. This will be followed by a tour of the museum and a light buffet.

The Pennine lead mining industry collapsed about one hundred and twenty years ago. Before that the moors and dales of the North Pennines echoed to the sound of the lead mining industry. Park Level Mine at Killhope was one of many mines in the North Pennine dales. Work started on the Horse Level of Park Level Mine in 1853 and closed around 1910, reopening briefly during the First World War.

For a few short years in the 1870s, the mine at Killhope was one of the richest in the whole of Britain. To help separate out the lead ore from waste, Park Level Mill with its giant waterwheel was built in the late 1870s. At the time this waterwheel was one of many in the area – now its one of the only two surviving William Armstrong of Cragside’s waterwheels.

Restoration of Killhope started in 1980, and today it is the most complete lead mining site in Britain. Restoration of the machinery is continuing. Today, there is much to be explored of the fascinating legacy left behind.

Members and guests are invited to share the presentation, which will take place at 11:00. This will be followed by a tour of the museum and a light buffet.

Speaker(s)

Killhope Lead Mining Museum is a multi-award winning 19th century mining museum in the centre of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, where you can experience the life and work of the lead mining families of the North Pennines.

Address

Killhope The North of England Lead Mining MusuemNear CowshillUpper WeardaleDurhamDL131ARUnited Kingdom